Endorsements

Topic 24459 | Page 1

As a CDL Permit holder can I still test for any endorsements or do I have to wait until I actually have my CDL A to get endorsements?

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.

Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

States regulate that themselves. Some states will let you get any endorsement when you have a permit, others will not let you get a Hazmat endorsement until you have your actual CDL. I'm not aware of any other endorsements they won't let you have until you get your CDL , but there could be others. You'll have to find out for your state specifically.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.

Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

HAZMAT:

Hazardous Materials

Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations

Hello,
I would recommend waiting to get endorsements until you get your license. The reason being, at least here in CT, the inspector that is taking you out for your road test can test you on anything , and on any endorsement you have, There was a student before me at school who had ALL his CT endorsements, including Haz-Mat. The inspector didn't notice until they were almost all the way back and finishing the test, saw the Haz-Mat endorsement, and said, "lets keep going" then went on a route that included a railroad crossing, and the student didn't stop for the crossing. Guess what, the student didn't pass, and had to go and pay to retake the test, and wait another 4 weeks before he could retest.....

Plus, getting your endorsements is usually just a written test, with the exception of Haz-Mat and Passenger, at least here in CT...

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